Bail maintained for Hilo woman charged in series of property crimes at two places of worship

A 35-year-old Hilo woman faces multiple charges in connection with a series of property crimes including two separate August burglary incidents at a multi-purpose facility attached to a Hilo Buddhist temple and an October theft in the parking lot of a Hilo church a little less than a mile away.

Hawai’i County prosecutor’s office reports that KAELA ESCALANTE WAS ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH:

• 2 counts second-degree burglary.
• 2 counts second-degree theft.
• 4 counts habitual property crime.
• 2 counts fourth-degree theft.
• First-degree unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle.
• Theft of a credit card.
• Unauthorized possession of confidential personal information.
• Fraudulent use of a credit card.
• Second-degree forgery.

Escalante made her initial appearance Oct. 20 in Hilo District Court, during which her bail was maintained at $175,500. She was also ordered to appear Oct. 22 for a preliminary hearing.

The offenses stem from two separate burglary incidents Aug. 6 at Sangha Hall in Hilo and theft of a purse and unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle Oct. 17 while it was parked in the parking lot at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hilo.

Hawai‘i Police Department reported more than $10,000 worth of items for a garage sale were stolen during the Aug. 6 burglary incidents.

Second-degree burglary, second-degree theft, habitual property crime, first-degree unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle, theft of a credit card, unauthorized possession of confidential personal information and second-degree forgery are all Class C felonies each carrying a penalty of either a 5-year prison term or 4 years probation and up to 1 year in jail.

The cases were initiated by Hawai‘i Police Department South Hilo Patrol.

The burglary investigation was led by South Hilo Patrol Officer Christopher Barto. The unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle investigation was led by South Hilo Patrol Officer Ekahi Travaso.

Hawai‘i County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Soong is prosecuting the case.